Origin:
MŻo/A/4015: Bagirmi (Chad, Nigeria)
MŻo/A/4016-4018: Tuaregs (Algeria, Niger)

Local name:
MŻo/A/4016: sekin rand jar (Hassaniyya language)
MŻo/A/4017: elmoshi, gomza (Tamashek language)
MŻo/A/4018: elmoshi, gomza (Tamashek language)

Dating: 20^th century

Dimensions:
MŻo/A/4015: knife: length 42.0 cm, width 4.4 cm, depth 2.0 cm; sheath: 31.0 cm, width 5.0 cm, depth 1.5 cm;
MŻo/A/4016: knife: length 31.1 cm, width 2.5 cm, depth 2.4 cm; sheath: length 20.2 cm, width 3.0 cm, depth 1.2 cm;
MŻo/A/4017: dagger: length 27.6 cm, width 3.8 cm, depth 3.0cm; sheath: length 18.5 cm, width max. 5.2 cm, depth 1.0 cm;
MŻo/A/4018: dagger: length 29 cm, width 3.8 cm, depth 3cm; sheath: length 18.5 cm, width max. 4.8 cm, depth 0.9 cm.

Made of: iron, brass, leather, wood

Techniques: blacksmithing

Obtained by:
MŻo/A/4015: Adam Rybiński, market, Bilma (Niger), 2005
MŻo/A/4016: Adam Rybiński, artisana, Agadez (Niger), 2004
MŻo/A/4017: Adam Rybiński, artisana, Agadez (Niger), 2004
MŻo/A/4018: Adam Rybiński, shop, Tamanrasset (Algeria), 1975

Description:

During the wars waged by the Tuaregs, enemies were ruthlessly plundered, thanks to which the Tuaregs gained a lot of valuable loot. The fights were fought primarily for pastures and control over trade routes [Rybiński 1999: 145]. It should be remembered that due to the pastoral nature of this group, pastures were the basis of their existence and provided food. However, control of trade routes provided money. “Constant fighting against other pastoral groups conducting the same type of economy in such a poor natural environment was (…) a necessity. Allowing one of the neighboring, competitive groups to become too powerful would threaten their existence” [Rybiński 1999: 265].

The Museum's Tuareg collection includes many examples of weapons. It was used not only for fighting, but was also used on a daily basis in everyday work. Interesting examples include knives/daggers (MŻo/A/4015-4016). Among the peoples living in the Sahara, you can come across knives with a single blade, but double-edged knives predominate. An "ordinary knife" (with one blade) was usually used for cutting meat (elmusi), it is used by northern Tuaregs and Arabs. Double-edged knives (ézegiz) are usually used in Aïr (Niger) by both the Tuareg and the Tebu [Nicolaisen 1963: 237]. The latter, worn on the shoulder, resemble daggers, so it is difficult to draw a clear line between a utility knife and a combat dagger.

Bibliography:

Nicolaisen Johannes, 1963, Ecology and Culture of the Pastoral Tuareg with Particular Reference to the Tuareg of Ahaggar and Ayr, Copenhagen: The National Museum of Copenhagen.

Rybiński Adam, 1999, Tuaregowie z Sahary, Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Akademickie Dialog.

Rybiński Adam, information provided during interviews (2020-2022).

Edited by Lucjan Buchalik

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The purchase is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport as part of the National Institute of Museums and Collections' own program "Expansion of museum collections".